Hardware Boot Problem (Dimension 4600)

Question

I have a Dimension 4600, 2.4GHz, 512 MB RAM, etc - the whole bit. When I hit the power button this evening, the computer did nothing.

So I went inside, unplugged and replugged the power switch connector, as well as the connector from the power supply to the motherboard. That didn't work, so I took out my trusty laptop and Google'd it. (Still looking for an answer.)

In the middle of my search, the Dimension starts making these successive revving sounds. Under normal conditions, some fan (I think it is the power supply fan, but it could very well be the CPU one) makes ONE "revving," then stops. This time, it randomly starts with the revving, repeatedly.

At this point I started to get kind of freaked out, worrying if perhaps damage was being done to the machine. So I immediately unplugged the cord. When I plugged it in again I got no response, not even the strange revving sound.

I'm thinking it may be a power supply issue. (There's a LOT of dust in there.)

I got nothin'. Can somebody help me out? Let me know if you need more details.

shesagordie · Answer

woodsy934. What is the reading of the power button LED, green, blinking green, solid amber, blinking amber?  What is the sequence of the diagnostic LEDs at the back of the case? Bev.

danjane · Answer

4600's have bad psu in them.  There is a ton of symtoms and each one does something different.  95% of the time its the power supply,  4% of the time its the motherboard, and 1% of the time its the power button.  There has been over 300 of us with this problem on this board alone.  First get a can of air and blow out to get rid of dust (no vacuum cleaner--  can create static shock ) and see if that helps.  If that doesnt work replace power supply ( its cheaper that motherboard)

woodsy934 · Answer

Thanks for the help Dan. I will grab a can of compressed air today and tell you if it works.

woodsy934 · Answer

I took a can of air duster and cleaned out the whole box. Seems to have worked.

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Hardware Boot Problem (Dimension 4600)

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